Thomas gets "the treatment", a total de-anthropomorfectomy

[vsmith]

Got Thomas, poor Thomas he didnt even make it out of the shop without having his face bartered away.

Here he is with new Chief Mechanic Homer

Using the same Face-ectomy technics learned on Percy, a short stand at the workbench ended thus:

This time using a brass Trackside Details smokebox door. took forever to sand the styrene round to fit right, now onto the cab

PS after complaints about Cheif Mechanic Jigsaw were investigated he was subsequently discovered to have a rather disturbing past and as such was let go and is now working as an Cheif Executive at NBC. Besides Homer works for donuts.

[vsmith]

Painted

Added air compressor to the front of the tank

Next comes adding the footplate

Should add, to replace the face on Thomas, unlike Percy, its necessary to remove the eye moving mechanism as it sticks about a 1/8inch beyond the boiler face, its only 4 screws.

[General1861]

Looking Good!!. Thinking about buing a set for my Daughter She will be four next month... How does the Bachman compare to the Lionel set?.. Thanks Travis

[vsmith]

General1861

Looking Good!!. Thinking about buing a set for my Daughter She will be four next month... How does the Bachman compare to the Lionel set?.. Thanks Travis

 10000 X better, bigger, more robust, and way better looking. one thing tho, the engine & cars have coupler hooks on the hook and loops at both ends, they only need them on one end to get around the R1 curves in the set easier, double hooks can interact and may derail the set.

[General1861]

 OK. Thanks for the info....Travis

[vsmith]

Pics dont show how much has been changed, cut of the front splashers, added a sheet styrene cover over the remaining gap where it was cut, added a pair of airtanks (ex-MDC Big Hustler mufflers) onto the footplate:

Does a fair bit to further change the appearance away from the kiddy show... working on the backhead now, very tight space, its been more a bit a pain that the red striped catapiller was.

[vsmith]

Progress:

New backhead in place

Crew added, tight quarters

side opening cut out, side grabbars added
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Thomas14.JPG

Added additional panels under the footplate to fill it out and make it less toylike

I do beleive its finished

Thomas has attracted a couple railfans

All thats left is new nameplates, and maybe a new coat of paint, but till it warms up a bit and is easier to paint here, I'll keep the color as is.